To introduce a more personal element into our assignments, possibly we could have something like 'portrait'? This could be kept very undefined, to include individual or groups, self portraits - even animals?

How about Railways as a theme... 'cos thats my thing and I would love to see trains from all different parts of the world, anything will do steam, modern image (diesel, electric) even Gordon could enter, would make a change from that lake, mountain and the boat with red sails that never moves

How about Railways as a theme.. ..even Gordon could enter, would make a change from that lake, mountain and the boat with red sails that never moves

Hmm, does Queenstown have a railway? I don't remember seeing it. It does have a nice steam ship however. I think you need to get yourself and the 40D down to NZ, Roy, though trains are pretty thin on the ground there. Just those boring lakes and mountains!

Hi Roy, sadly most of the railways here are no more. The Government sold them off, then the owners sold them for scrap!

There's one line which runs from Wellington to Auckland on the North Island, and some goods lines which contine south from Picton at the top of the South Island. And of course a handful of mass transit services in the biggest cities.

Down where I am, the closest railway is a tourist jaunt running out of the rather beautiful Dunedin station a few hours away. Actually I tell a small lie - there's also a steam train which does a tourist run of a few miles from Kingston at the other end of Lake Wakatipu.

It's called The Kingston Flyer and I do have a couple of snaps, but they're not very good! I do however have some other railway shots from foreign lands, so I may be able to enter!

I think it's a great idea for a future assignment, although perhaps for December we should have a holiday theme. It doesn't have to be Christmas for those who don't observe it. Perhaps December Holidays?

How about Railways as a theme.. ..even Gordon could enter, would make a change from that lake, mountain and the boat with red sails that never moves

Hmm, does Queenstown have a railway? I don't remember seeing it. It does have a nice steam ship however. I think you need to get yourself and the 40D down to NZ, Roy, though trains are pretty thin on the ground there. Just those boring lakes and mountains!

Err, no! The cost of getting there is the big downer, unfortunately, and to do it justice you need at least a month. Holiday of a lifetime really. During my visit one couple were cheerfully admitting that they were spending the kid's inheritance.

Does the railway have to be a real one? If not, those in areas without railways could take pictures of those model trains although they aren't half as interesting IMO. The railways close to where I live are protected by two fences on either side both with barbed wire! I suppose a better photographer than myself would be able to find a way to make a shot nice regardless of the protection.